Simplifying Life: Five Minimalism Guidelines for a Balanced Lifestyle

Despite the fact that our world is going at a fast pace, the minimalist lifestyle has come to be adopted by more and more people through the years, and I believe this is most likely in their bid to live a more simplified life that's focused on the things that truly matter. Personally, for me, I've come to realise that embracing Minimalism has helped declutter my mental and physical space, which in the end has lead to be being more contempt and fulfilled and today I'll be share five of my essentials guidelines for practicing Minimalism.

Prior to me becoming a minimalist, I was literally drowning in clutter both mentally and physically and loads of junk that has eaten up my space to deal with, from commitment that gets me stressed, overwhelmed, and unfulfilled to possessions that weigh me down and fill up the whole place. But since I embrace the minimalist lifestyle, that's why I'll be putting every step I took into five guidelines that I hope will help you in your own journey to embracing the minimalist lifestyle.

• Regular decluttering: Since becoming a minimalist, one thing I've come to set as a rule and guidelines for living my life going forward is the need to stay as organized as possible, shedding weight and decluttering anything that seems to play no important role in giving me joy any longer. I've made it a point of duty to find a time along the line to review all I've got and do away with the clutter in both my commitments and belongings, and since adopting this, I've come to have a more compact and organized space both mentally and physically.

• Prioritizing Essentials: This is another guideline I've laid down for myself through the years that has greatly improved my life. I mean, since becoming a minimalist, I've come to understand the need to continuously give preference to what adds value to my life while also being in line with my goals and passion. When you understand the difference between need and want, these rules would sink well, and that's one thing I've done. If something isn't necessary, then I believe there's no point holding onto it, regardless of whether it's a commitment or possession, because holding onto such a thing only serves as a distraction rather than adding value to my life.

• Cultivating Gratitude: As a minimalist, one way one can stay happy is by cultivating the act of gratitude and also focusing on the present moment as we appreciate what we've got and the beauty and peace that come from simplicity. Being mindful of the moment as we cultivate an act of gratitude gives us the opportunity to find joy in the little things around us, be it gazing into the sunset, nature, or sipping a cup of coffee. I've got to understand that an ungrateful man is an unhappy man because all they'll keep seeing are things they lack, so don't be ungrateful.

• Prioritising Quality over Quantity: One thing I remember from my life before becoming a minimalist is trying to purchase everything possible and having such in abundance so in a situation when one spoils, I'll have another to fall back on, but later on in life, I realized I'm buying most of this cheaply and thought I'm being wise for getting items in excess, but becoming a minimalist came to make me understand that purchasing just one quality item is far better than having five of the same items that's ain't good enough, and quality purchase promises longevity and durability than accumulating numerous low quality items.

• Focus on experiences: Prior to becoming a minimalist, I used to seek happiness and fulfillment in material things, but with time, such feelings fade away as I get overly familiar with such items. Since becoming a minimalist, I've decided to change my mindset by not peg my fulfillments to material things but to focus more on relationships and interactions that bring about life and career-elevating additions. Since I've diverted my quest for fulfillment to meaningful activities and interactions, I've had a more exciting and fulfilling life.

That's about it, and I can tell you for a fact that by incorporating these five guidelines into our lifestyle as minimalists, you'll go on to have a more fulfilling and balanced lifestyle that's prompted by living a simplified life, whether it's decluttering, mindfulness, gratitude, contentment, or the like; they all pave the way for a peaceful, happy, and fulfilled life.

_{Both photos are mine}